An ecommerce supplier provides products, components or fulfilment-ready inventory for sale through online channels. The term may describe a manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor or dropship supplier, so the supplier’s actual role must be recorded.
Identify the operating role
Confirm who owns the goods, who manufactures them, where inventory is held and who ships each order. A marketplace profile may identify a seller without identifying the production facility or the party responsible for product compliance.
| Area | What to establish |
|---|---|
| Entity | Contracting business, invoice issuer and payment Recipient |
| Supply role | Manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler or dropshipper |
| Inventory | Stock location, allocation rules and replenishment lead time |
| Order execution | Packing, labelling, dispatch, tracking and returns |
Evidence before onboarding
Keep legal-entity records, site or warehouse evidence, the product specification, test documents, sample approval, commercial terms and verified Bank details. Recheck material changes before releasing a deposit or a larger order.
Related terms
supplier due diligence, supplier verification, dropshipping, approved vendor list.
